Quick-change head for precision machine vise

Abstract

A precision machine vise is provided with quick-change head members or means to facilitate the changeover from making one kind of part to another, preferably in equipment provided with computer numerical control. The precision machine vise is of the kind having obliquely oriented surfaces as an anti-cocking measure. One first part of the equipment supported by the base of the precision machine vise has an upstanding boss, and a second part of the equipment containing jaw plates in contact with the work has a vertical bore in which said boss fits, and there is a horizontal bore through the boss of the first part and through the second part, into and through which a locking-in means fits. The first part is provided with means to minimize play between the first part and the second. The second part mentioned above may be a disposable item. For use with a precision machine vise of the two-place type, there is also provided a changeable "fixed" central member, securable to the base via bolts accessible from above.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. In a machine vise having a base, a first jaw secured to said base and a second jaw supported on said base for movement toward and away from said first jaw, the improvement which comprises: a. said second jaw comprises:   
     
     
       1. a first element having an extended member having a first bore extending tranversely through said extended member, said first bore having a flat surface therethrough, said flat surface between disposed at an angle such that said flat surface faces in a direction that is toward said base and toward said first jaw; and 2. a second element having a recessed area adapted to receive said extended member, said second element having a second bore aligned with said first bore; and   b. a removable locking pin adapted for axial insertion into both of said second bore and said first bore, said removable locking pin having a planar portion that substantially corresponds to said flat surface of said first bore for engagement therewith to thereby couple said second element to said first element and said locking pin being further adapted for axial removal from said first and said second bores to uncouple said second element from said first element.   
     
     
       2. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said first and second elements also contains means for minimizing free play between them. 
     
     
       3. An improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a spring pin. 
     
     
       4. An improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a set screw. 
     
     
       5. An improvement as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a tension washer. 
     
     
       6. An improvement as defined in claim 2, where said vise is a vise having a replaceable central member secured to the 
     
     
       7. An improvement as defined in claim 2, where said vise is a vise capable of separately holding two workpieces on the opposite sides of a replaceable central member secured to the base of said vise by means accessible from above. 
     
     
       8. An improvement as defined in claim 7, wherein said replaceable central member has, in surface-to-surface contact with the base of the vise, a plurality of corresponding tapered surfaces, whereby a desired degree of rigidity of connection may be established and maintained while affording a structure capable of ready attachment and disassembly. 
     
     
       9. An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said vise is a precision machine vise, and said locking-pin means is snugly received in said bores. 
     
     
       10. An improvement as defined in claim 9, wherein one of said first and second elements also contains means for minimizing free play between them. 
     
     
       11. An improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a spring pin. 
     
     
       12. An improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a set screw. 
     
     
       13. An improvement as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for minimizing free play between said first and second elements is a tension washer. 
     
     
       14. An improvement as defined in claim 10, where said vise is a vise capable of separately holding two workpieces on the opposite sides of a replaceable central member secured to the base of said vise by means accessible from above. 
     
     
       15. An improvement as defined in claim 14, wherein said replaceable central member has, in surface-to-surface contact with the base of the vise, a plurality of corresponding tapered surfaces, whereby a desired degree of rigidity of connection may be established and maintained while affording a structure capable of ready attachment and disassembly.